<
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(25)00496-7/fulltext>
"Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC, also known as long COVID)
are complex, multisystem, long-lasting complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection
that profoundly impact the daily life of those affected and have been
documented in adults and children globally, regardless of the severity of the
initial infection. Most studies of long COVID to date have focused on first
infections, particularly with pre-omicron variants. Whether
reinfections—especially with omicron or later variants—can also lead to long
COVID in children and adolescents remains a crucial, unanswered question. For
instance, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a severe post-acute
complication of SARS-CoV-2, has largely disappeared with new variants and
increasing population immunity. In a new study, Bingyu Zhang and colleagues
provide compelling evidence that the same trajectory does not hold true for
paediatric long COVID.
Using real-world data from the RECOVER Initiative—encompassing 40 children's
hospitals and health institutions across the USA—Chen and colleagues analysed
the risk of long COVID after SARS-CoV-2 reinfection between Jan 1, 2022, and
Oct 13, 2023. The study included 465 717 individuals younger than 21 years
(mean age 8·17 years [SD 6·58]; 233 842 [50·2%] patients were male and 231 875
[49·8%] were female). Long COVID was identified using two approaches: the
ICD-10-CM diagnosis code U09·9 (primary endpoint) and a list of
physician-defined symptoms and conditions possibly associated with paediatric
PASC. The incidence rate of long COVID diagnosis was 903·7 (95% CI
780·9–1026·5) per million people per 6 months in the first infection group,
rising to 1883·7 (1565·1–2202·3) per million people per 6 months after
reinfection. Reinfection was associated with more than double the risk of a
long COVID diagnosis (relative risk 2·08 [95% CI 1·68–2·59]). A wide range of
related symptoms and conditions were also significantly more common after
reinfection.
These findings reinforce an urgent message that children and adolescents can
develop long COVID not only after an initial infection, but also after
reinfection. The public health implications are substantial."
Via Violet Blue’s
Threat Model - Covid: October 2, 2025
https://www.patreon.com/posts/covid-october-2-140250567
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
